A 47-unit apartment project with no parking, show under construction in November, at Northeast Sandy Boulevard and 41st Avenue. Jamie Francis/The Oregonian/file

Rules drafted by the Portland Planning and Sustainability Bureau would stop the recent spate of large-scale apartment projects with no off-street parking -- a trend which has drawn objections from neighbors who say renters' cars will clog side streets -- though smaller no-parking buildings would still be allowed.

The bureau's proposed zoning code amendments would require developers of larger buildings -- those with more than 40 units -- to include one parking spot for every four apartments. Some of those spots could be used for motorcycles or bicycles, or leased to car-sharing companies like ZipCar rather than tenants.

The requisite parking spots could also be provided in existing parking lots within 300 feet of the building but not on-site.

The proposal would also align zoning code to TriMet’s newest transit service standards. No-parking apartments are allowed along frequent-service transit lines, but the code was based on outdated frequency standards.

The Planning and Sustainability Commission will consider the proposal at a public hearing scheduled for 12:30 p.m. March 12 at 1900 S.W. Fourth Ave., Room 2500 A. If approved, the proposal could go before the Portland City Council by March.

Neighbors of proposed and under-construction apartment buildings that don't include parking have complained renters' cars would cause congestion on residential streets. A
city-commissioned study of a few recent developments downplayed the
effect of the buildings, saying parking was still available nearby, but
it also found most residents of no-parking apartment buildings still own
cars.

The rules would not affect apartment projects that have already been approved.